Monday, February 10, 2014

Being Anti-Homophobe doesn’t make You Pro-Gay; It just makes You yet another Asshole

I hate the fact that most of us generalize on hating homophobes while fighting against the idea that homosexuality is unnatural. They fight for Gay Rights but disregard the possibility that homophobia exists. They don’t even seem to bother differentiating the real assholes from homophobes.

According to Oxford Dictionaries, homophobia is an extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people. It can simply mean irrational fear or dislike but other definitions stressed on it being hateful, hurtful and violent against homosexuals. I'm not sure why but maybe it started when those real assholes made homophobia their excuse for assaulting homosexuals.

Part of the definition not commonly addressed is the “irrational aversion to homosexuality [itself]”. Meaning, an individual who extremely urges not to be gay might be homophobic. Does it make him or her an asshole? Does having personality issues make you an asshole?

In addition to the definition given by Oxford, an interesting clarification from The Phobia List says that homophobia is the fear of sameness or monotony. For me, it’s weird and funny but it does make sense. Homo doesn’t always pertain to homosexuals. Dictionary.com says it originated from the Greek word Homos meaning “one and the same”. I believe there’s no sign of being an asshole here.

As for homosexuals, I’m with you fighting for your rights but please try to stay logical. You’re against discrimination but you’re discriminating those who simply doesn’t like your ways? Dislike and suppression are two different things. I hate dark chocolates but it doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m inclined to hinder its manufacture. The enemies are those trying to stop its production; not the ones who simply chooses not to eat it.

About linking pedophilia to homosexuality: the difference was clearly explained here. I agree with the post but I can’t stop thinking why it seems that they disregard the possibility of a homosexual being a pedophile at the same time? One of the comments said that they can not accept having “homosexual pedophiles” but no “heterosexual pedophiles” as a description to the suspect.

Why not focus on having different types of pedophiles instead of having unnecessary definition manipulation? Both boys and men have the same sex so why differentiate them when talking about sexuality and abuse? This experience, be it caused by a hetero or a homo, will likely cause trauma and other complications to the victim; homophobia being one of the possibilities.

Instead of trying too hard on cleaning your reputation, why not accept your flaws first and then focus on your positive traits? How do you expect society to accept you if you seem to have difficulties accepting yourselves? We all have our own flaws. We just need to deal with them.

Lastly, about what they quote as Morgan Freeman’s words: “I hate the word homophobia. It’s not a real phobia. You are not scared. You are an asshole.” , you might want to check the details about it at snopes.com.